awh Shirl, I feel for you. Home. That is their home now, where the Navy sends them. Mercy. Tough to swallow, but you did a great job! We all did. They are grown up and making their way through life now. We are still their mommas and entitled to all the feelings that flow right in & out of us! :-) {{{NMH}}}
ProudNavy mom and Soproud, thanks for your comments. It is normal to worry about their choices, they know what they can and cannot do, and it they mess up they will lose there blue card so your son will do fine because he wants his freedom. , tell him that, it is good to hear that from your mom, even if they shrug there eyes at you. My sons friend got knocked down to a yellow card for two weeks he could not tell me what he did, but hopefully he learned from it.
OklahomaMama, congratulations! He will love it there! More freedom than boot camp for sure!!! hahahaha!!!! And you can text on the phone or talk when they are not on watch or duty or school. You will learn his schedule quickly. Is he starting BESS (Basic Enlisted Submarine School) soon? God bless!!! And please thank your Sailor for his Service!!!
OklahomaMama, Hooyah! I am happy to hear that your Sailor is happy! It sure puts a parents heart a little more at ease. My Sailor has been there only a short while (PIR 5/24/13) and he loves Groton. He feels comfortable, safe and at home. It is going to be absolutely wonderful for you to hear from your Sailor much more often! He will be very busy his first few weeks getting his qualifications started and met. ALL good!
Oh, Shirl - we know just how you feel. We will still be home too. Love hearing that your Sailor says "luv you",warms my heart! Our Sailor says "love you" a whole lot more than when he was here at home with us! This letting go stuff is difficult. Our Sailors DO know what and what not to do. I agree we can softly remind our sons that they have proudly earned their yellow & blue cards because they are accountable, responsible Sailors. Groton does not hand them out to just anyone - they must be earned! My son has mentioned that every weekend muster they are reminded to do right, be smart, don't get in trouble (so glad Groton/NAVY is telling them!!) We are normal loving moms - I don't think we will ever stop worrying about our children it's just what we do! Is it correct for me to say that Groton is a little more strict than other bases - I am fine with that! I am thankful of Groton leadership - help them grow with responsibility and accountability. Some of our Sailors fellow Sailors who are at other bases have been given privileges allot sooner than our Groton Sailors. Our Groton Sailors seem to have quite a bit more qualifications to earn due to their responsibility as submariners - again, totally fine with that. Hopefully they continue to learn with honorable character and appreciate what they have earned. Our son's are on their way. Yes, ALL of us did a great job. God bless and guide our Sailors and all who surround them!
OklahomaMama, Welcome and Congrats to your Sailor. He will love Groton. The only thing my Sailor had a hard time to get to used to is the weather, being an Arizonian the humidity was crazy high for him.
Shirl, ProudNavyMom#1 and FATHOMOM, Thank you so much for your kind words. I agree with all of you!!! Yes, this letting go stuff is very difficult. I keep reminding him to always remember that he's representing the world's greatest Country, the world's greatest Navy and to take pride in it. Praying for all our Sailors to stay safe!
Thanks everyone!! My son is supposed to start BESS at the end of the month I think, but he said he has to be at BESS tomorrow at 6:45 AM. He is so happy. He likes his roommates a lot. He loves having more freedom. They ordered pizza last night and they are going to the NEX today. He sent me some pictures and it looks gorgeous there. It really did make me feel more comfortable when he said that they make him feel at home there. I wish he wasn't so far away, but at least we can communicate every day now!!
So -- I am going to Groton, Ct on Sept 11, Patriot day and staying for a week or so.
I am leaving from Florida and if anyone wants to ride with me one way to Groton, I have three available seats in the car. I am going alone. I drive daylight hours only and it should take about two days from here - I will be there for sure the third morning. You will have to get your own transportation back and your room on the way and while there. Just a thought! Let me know!
OklahomaMama, welcome to Groton!!! You know that my son and Kevsmom93's sons are friends there and I just found out yesterday that fathomom's son is friends with mine as well!! We live in the same general area and had a very nice lunch yesterday. So nice to put faces with real names!! Your son will probably have a lot of friends from BC there as well. Welcome!!
My husband and I are watching "submarine hidden hunter " by discovery channel on Netflix , it is a four part series we are on the first one, and they show BESS at Groton. So if you want to see what our sailors are doing check it out it is cool and may make you cry.
Hello all! Can anyone tell me which is the facebook page for this group? It's confusing to me and I've heard others were confused as well. I am easily confused though!!! ;)
Shirl, thanks on info about the show on Netflix about the submarines. We will have to watch it. As far as the crying goes, I cry at just about everything these days. LOL
@loriM - I will second that crying thing. My eyes are messed up from all this crying.
@shirl - I am going to try to watch that too - I have to order it thru Netflix? is that right? I never do that - I will ask my husband - I think he has a Netflix card.
I just booked a flight home from Groton - 6 hours - I didn't realize it would be so long. I really don't care that much about airplanes so that will stress me for sure.
The price was real good though $100? WOW I can't wait to see my son, I will catch two weekends, his BESS graduation and his birthday - how lucky is that?
Yes it is thru Netflix , really good , there is actual footage in American and British subs. Wow you got. Good deal on your trip home from Groton, enjoy your son.
Yay NavyMom2013 - awesome you can be there to celebrate birthday and graduation! Congratulations on both! And a happy "labor' day to you! What a great price. Have a safe trip - Don't think about the flight ,just focus on sharing time with your Sailor!! Yeah, easy for me to say I took a Zanax on our flight to P.I.R. - a bit claustrophobic I am. Comes on at the whackiest times!!
Sharon - Congratulations to your Sailor on graduation of A school - wonderful! So very very happy for you that you will be there to share in the celebration with your Sailor. Safe travel! Looks like you will be arriving Groton just as mrsb & I are leaving Groton!
Count me in on the crying thing - I cry over many things these days too. I have already ordered the" submarine hidden hunter". I look forward - kinda - to seeing it......w/more crying. Hey, it's all good, it is good for us to be aware of what our Sailors jobs are. So proud of ALL of our Sailors!!!!! Hooyah!
navymom2013 -- do you mind sharing the airline (and which airport) with the great fare to California? My sailor is thinking of a quick trip home for a weekend and fares in and out of Hartford and Providence are usually in the $500+ range (round trip). Thanks!
I believe navy mom 2013 lives in FL she is driving up to Groton and flying back, so that 100 dollar ticket is a one way from Ct to Fl. Have a great trip navy mom 2013
Navymom2013 oh my that is the best video, everyone get out your tissues before you watch, that is so cool especially the Navy, what a tribute to all military.
navymom2013, WOW!!!! That was really good. Of course, I cried. But to me that was a good cry. There is a difference. Sending it to my husband at work and my son. Thanks again.
navymom2013 many thanks to u and ur husband. Such a great video! The end WAS awesome with the flag and the crowd rising to their feet! The smoke from the airplane was great, too. But I MUST admit that when that submarine went below the surface, I got chills like no other!
Oh! Navymom2013!!! That was beautiful!!!!! I had a grin from ear to ear!!! Proud to be a Navy Mom!!!!! How beautifully they honored our United States Military!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! God bless our Sailors! God bless us all!!!
You all are wlecome. It is not often I find something like this but I thought you guys could really enjoy it.
LaxDogsMom - I have been trying to send you a message. It keeps coming back to me because we are not friends? I am going to try something different @#$%
hello, a question for those who's boys are already in groton. After PIR, what airportt do they fly out of. i read its usually in the middle of the night. Trying to figure out some timing. Turns out my son graduates the same weekend as his sisiters senior prom
stylist613, I saw that post on BC for moms about your daughter's prom. That stinks! They will usually fly out of O'Hare. My son left at around 11 am the day after PIR, but of course they got to the airport around 3 or 4 am. I didn't!!! They ship everyone out of GL in the wee hours to start getting ready for the next wave of recruits. Well, except for those staying at GL for A school. We got there around 9am and just hung out with him. Midway is the other possibility but I think O'Hare is used more. Hope that helps!
yea it look like even if we could make it back we would be exhausted. Guess im gunna let it up to her, dont wanna she her miss it. but she always has prom!!! if she decieds to try I guess i could do her hair in the air lol
stylist 613 - Our son flew out of O'Hare @ 1p.m. day after P.I.R. We met him at the airport @ 4 a.m. and stayed with him till he left. A few weeks prior I mailed our Sailor a blank 3x5 card w/fill in the blank like airport/flight #/ flight time- he wrote in the flight info. and returned it to us at our P.I.R. lunch. I do understand you want to book your flight home sooner. I do not know exactly when they find out time of flight. It worked out well, cuz we did find him at check in and he got our family pass to hang out with him. After P.I.R. we took our Sailor to lunch and then back to lodge to relax and visit. Had to have him back on base later that eve. Hope everything works out beautifully for your Sailor and daughter!
stylist613, we met our son at the airport and hung with him but left before he did. I don't do public goodbyes very well! He was with his group anyway and didn't want to be too far away from them. I didn't think it was a problem to leave before he did. I know you're in a difficult position but I'm sure he would understand if you left before he did to get your daughter back in time for the prom. What a busy couple of days you're going to have, but it will be so exciting as well!!
My grandson flew out of O'Hare at 6:15 am :( for Groton! Boarded the plane at 5:45 am. Precious time before that. We were there when he arrived at 3:30 am and would not trade that for anything! hugs
We did the same we were there when his bus arrived at 3:30 am and spent the next seven hours with our son. We also spent time with mrsb's son until his family was able to arrive. We let him use our cell phone to stay in touch. O'hare is a very nice airport, we had breakfast together and did a little shopping. Mostly just hung out and enjoyed our last few hours together. Our son wasn't able to give us his flight information untilafter PIR but that was our experience.
Navymom2013- I just watched the video, oh my goodness that was so awesome! It was doubly special for me because our youngest son is currently in Marine BC in San Diego. Can't wait to share it with everyone :-)
ProudNavyMom#1
awh Shirl, I feel for you. Home. That is their home now, where the Navy sends them. Mercy. Tough to swallow, but you did a great job! We all did. They are grown up and making their way through life now. We are still their mommas and entitled to all the feelings that flow right in & out of us! :-) {{{NMH}}}
Aug 17, 2013
shirl
Aug 17, 2013
OklahomaMama
Aug 17, 2013
ProudNavyMom#1
OklahomaMama, congratulations! He will love it there! More freedom than boot camp for sure!!! hahahaha!!!! And you can text on the phone or talk when they are not on watch or duty or school. You will learn his schedule quickly. Is he starting BESS (Basic Enlisted Submarine School) soon? God bless!!! And please thank your Sailor for his Service!!!
Aug 17, 2013
Johanna
your Sailor a lot more!!
Aug 17, 2013
FATHOMOM
OklahomaMama, Hooyah! I am happy to hear that your Sailor is happy! It sure puts a parents heart a little more at ease. My Sailor has been there only a short while (PIR 5/24/13) and he loves Groton. He feels comfortable, safe and at home. It is going to be absolutely wonderful for you to hear from your Sailor much more often! He will be very busy his first few weeks getting his qualifications started and met. ALL good!
Oh, Shirl - we know just how you feel. We will still be home too. Love hearing that your Sailor says "luv you",warms my heart! Our Sailor says "love you" a whole lot more than when he was here at home with us! This letting go stuff is difficult. Our Sailors DO know what and what not to do. I agree we can softly remind our sons that they have proudly earned their yellow & blue cards because they are accountable, responsible Sailors. Groton does not hand them out to just anyone - they must be earned! My son has mentioned that every weekend muster they are reminded to do right, be smart, don't get in trouble (so glad Groton/NAVY is telling them!!) We are normal loving moms - I don't think we will ever stop worrying about our children it's just what we do! Is it correct for me to say that Groton is a little more strict than other bases - I am fine with that! I am thankful of Groton leadership - help them grow with responsibility and accountability. Some of our Sailors fellow Sailors who are at other bases have been given privileges allot sooner than our Groton Sailors. Our Groton Sailors seem to have quite a bit more qualifications to earn due to their responsibility as submariners - again, totally fine with that. Hopefully they continue to learn with honorable character and appreciate what they have earned. Our son's are on their way. Yes, ALL of us did a great job. God bless and guide our Sailors and all who surround them!
Aug 18, 2013
SoProud
OklahomaMama, Welcome and Congrats to your Sailor. He will love Groton. The only thing my Sailor had a hard time to get to used to is the weather, being an Arizonian the humidity was crazy high for him.
Shirl, ProudNavyMom#1 and FATHOMOM, Thank you so much for your kind words. I agree with all of you!!! Yes, this letting go stuff is very difficult. I keep reminding him to always remember that he's representing the world's greatest Country, the world's greatest Navy and to take pride in it. Praying for all our Sailors to stay safe!
Aug 18, 2013
OklahomaMama
Aug 18, 2013
navymom2013
So -- I am going to Groton, Ct on Sept 11, Patriot day and staying for a week or so.
I am leaving from Florida and if anyone wants to ride with me one way to Groton, I have three available seats in the car. I am going alone. I drive daylight hours only and it should take about two days from here - I will be there for sure the third morning. You will have to get your own transportation back and your room on the way and while there. Just a thought! Let me know!
My son's graduation from BESS is on 9/20/13.
Aug 18, 2013
mrsb
OklahomaMama, welcome to Groton!!! You know that my son and Kevsmom93's sons are friends there and I just found out yesterday that fathomom's son is friends with mine as well!! We live in the same general area and had a very nice lunch yesterday. So nice to put faces with real names!! Your son will probably have a lot of friends from BC there as well. Welcome!!
Aug 18, 2013
amandamomof4
SoProud we are from AZ also and my son got there in Dec so first he had to deal with the cold and snow and then he got the humidity too lol :)
He said it is nice there now.
Aug 18, 2013
OklahomaMama
Aug 18, 2013
shirl
Aug 18, 2013
KWL's mom
Shirl, Sounds interesting. Watching the submarines is Definitely going at the top of my to-do list. Thanks for mentioning it.
Aug 18, 2013
Sharon
Just booked flight to Groton for October graduation. Can't wait!!!
Aug 18, 2013
mrsb
Hello all! Can anyone tell me which is the facebook page for this group? It's confusing to me and I've heard others were confused as well. I am easily confused though!!! ;)
Aug 18, 2013
LoriM (div 337--Kevin's submom)
Shirl, thanks on info about the show on Netflix about the submarines. We will have to watch it. As far as the crying goes, I cry at just about everything these days. LOL
Aug 19, 2013
navymom2013
@loriM - I will second that crying thing. My eyes are messed up from all this crying.
@shirl - I am going to try to watch that too - I have to order it thru Netflix? is that right? I never do that - I will ask my husband - I think he has a Netflix card.
I just booked a flight home from Groton - 6 hours - I didn't realize it would be so long. I really don't care that much about airplanes so that will stress me for sure.
The price was real good though $100? WOW I can't wait to see my son, I will catch two weekends, his BESS graduation and his birthday - how lucky is that?
Aug 19, 2013
shirl
Aug 19, 2013
ProudNavyMom#1
NavyMom2013, Congrats in seeing your son and getting such a great price on your tickets!! God bless
Aug 19, 2013
Sharon
WOW!!! $100.00 ticket price. Never see that coming from California but as the commercial says......time with my son......priceless!!!!!
Aug 20, 2013
FATHOMOM
Yay NavyMom2013 - awesome you can be there to celebrate birthday and graduation! Congratulations on both! And a happy "labor' day to you! What a great price. Have a safe trip - Don't think about the flight ,just focus on sharing time with your Sailor!! Yeah, easy for me to say I took a Zanax on our flight to P.I.R. - a bit claustrophobic I am. Comes on at the whackiest times!!
Sharon - Congratulations to your Sailor on graduation of A school - wonderful! So very very happy for you that you will be there to share in the celebration with your Sailor. Safe travel! Looks like you will be arriving Groton just as mrsb & I are leaving Groton!
Count me in on the crying thing - I cry over many things these days too. I have already ordered the" submarine hidden hunter". I look forward - kinda - to seeing it......w/more crying. Hey, it's all good, it is good for us to be aware of what our Sailors jobs are. So proud of ALL of our Sailors!!!!! Hooyah!
Aug 20, 2013
LaxDogsMom
navymom2013 -- do you mind sharing the airline (and which airport) with the great fare to California? My sailor is thinking of a quick trip home for a weekend and fares in and out of Hartford and Providence are usually in the $500+ range (round trip). Thanks!
Aug 20, 2013
navymom2013
Hi! My husband found this on you tube and it is so cool. Please watch the whole thing because the end is the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=MjPmmCtHmfE
Aug 20, 2013
shirl
Aug 20, 2013
shirl
Aug 20, 2013
Johanna
Aug 20, 2013
navymom2013
I love the airplane smoke and the sub is so cool. And while this is going on the band is playing music WOW!
Aug 20, 2013
SurfCityUSA Ship 03 Div 391
Aug 20, 2013
KWL's mom
That was great. And of course, I cried. Especially since I just got a message from my sailor who was been underway. Happy happy!
Aug 20, 2013
mrsb
OMG-that was great!!! I'm crying too! How the heck do they do all that? I was never in band but it looks so hard!
Aug 20, 2013
FATHOMOM
Where are my tissues? That was awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing. I sent
it to my Sailor!
KWL's mom - Big Hugg!
Aug 21, 2013
shirl
Aug 21, 2013
LoriM (div 337--Kevin's submom)
navymom2013, WOW!!!! That was really good. Of course, I cried. But to me that was a good cry. There is a difference. Sending it to my husband at work and my son. Thanks again.
Aug 21, 2013
GrannyShip03Div271
navymom2013 many thanks to u and ur husband. Such a great video! The end WAS awesome with the flag and the crowd rising to their feet! The smoke from the airplane was great, too. But I MUST admit that when that submarine went below the surface, I got chills like no other!
Aug 21, 2013
ProudNavyMom#1
Oh! Navymom2013!!! That was beautiful!!!!! I had a grin from ear to ear!!! Proud to be a Navy Mom!!!!! How beautifully they honored our United States Military!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! God bless our Sailors! God bless us all!!!
Aug 22, 2013
navymom2013
You all are wlecome. It is not often I find something like this but I thought you guys could really enjoy it.
LaxDogsMom - I have been trying to send you a message. It keeps coming back to me because we are not friends? I am going to try something different @#$%
Aug 22, 2013
stylist613
hello, a question for those who's boys are already in groton. After PIR, what airportt do they fly out of. i read its usually in the middle of the night. Trying to figure out some timing. Turns out my son graduates the same weekend as his sisiters senior prom
Aug 22, 2013
mrsb
stylist613, I saw that post on BC for moms about your daughter's prom. That stinks! They will usually fly out of O'Hare. My son left at around 11 am the day after PIR, but of course they got to the airport around 3 or 4 am. I didn't!!! They ship everyone out of GL in the wee hours to start getting ready for the next wave of recruits. Well, except for those staying at GL for A school. We got there around 9am and just hung out with him. Midway is the other possibility but I think O'Hare is used more. Hope that helps!
Aug 22, 2013
navymom2013
Mine flew out of O Hare at 8 am but we were there at 4:30 am to be with him
Aug 22, 2013
mrsb
navymom2013, I'm soooo not a morning person!!!
Aug 22, 2013
stylist613
yea it look like even if we could make it back we would be exhausted. Guess im gunna let it up to her, dont wanna she her miss it. but she always has prom!!! if she decieds to try I guess i could do her hair in the air lol
Aug 22, 2013
OklahomaMama
Aug 22, 2013
ProudNavyMom#1
mrsb, i am not a morning person either. Just now getting started!!! HAHAHAHA Well, actually got up at 11 am. Getting better... :-)
Aug 22, 2013
stylist613
Aug 22, 2013
OklahomaMama
Aug 22, 2013
FATHOMOM
stylist 613 - Our son flew out of O'Hare @ 1p.m. day after P.I.R. We met him at the airport @ 4 a.m. and stayed with him till he left. A few weeks prior I mailed our Sailor a blank 3x5 card w/fill in the blank like airport/flight #/ flight time- he wrote in the flight info. and returned it to us at our P.I.R. lunch. I do understand you want to book your flight home sooner. I do not know exactly when they find out time of flight. It worked out well, cuz we did find him at check in and he got our family pass to hang out with him. After P.I.R. we took our Sailor to lunch and then back to lodge to relax and visit. Had to have him back on base later that eve. Hope everything works out beautifully for your Sailor and daughter!
Aug 22, 2013
mrsb
stylist613, we met our son at the airport and hung with him but left before he did. I don't do public goodbyes very well! He was with his group anyway and didn't want to be too far away from them. I didn't think it was a problem to leave before he did. I know you're in a difficult position but I'm sure he would understand if you left before he did to get your daughter back in time for the prom. What a busy couple of days you're going to have, but it will be so exciting as well!!
Aug 22, 2013
GrannyShip03Div271
My grandson flew out of O'Hare at 6:15 am :( for Groton! Boarded the plane at 5:45 am. Precious time before that. We were there when he arrived at 3:30 am and would not trade that for anything! hugs
Aug 22, 2013
Kevsmom93
We did the same we were there when his bus arrived at 3:30 am and spent the next seven hours with our son. We also spent time with mrsb's son until his family was able to arrive. We let him use our cell phone to stay in touch. O'hare is a very nice airport, we had breakfast together and did a little shopping. Mostly just hung out and enjoyed our last few hours together. Our son wasn't able to give us his flight information untilafter PIR but that was our experience.
Navymom2013- I just watched the video, oh my goodness that was so awesome! It was doubly special for me because our youngest son is currently in Marine BC in San Diego. Can't wait to share it with everyone :-)
Aug 22, 2013